Late Fall, 1953, London, England

Lukas rode in the car in silence with Emil for a very long time before finally speaking. "Emil, do you mind telling me exactly what happened?" h asked, glancing over at his younger brother. "The headmaster was too furious to tell me anything other than the face that you were expelled and that I was to pick you up immediately."

Emil's gaze remained out the window. "What Leon and I did wasn't wrong," he angrily stated. "We shouldn't have been expelled or banned from ever joining the military!" He turned to Lukas, rage apparent on his face. "How the fuck were you and Mathias able to be in the military?"

"So how far were you when you got caught?" Lukas asked, getting the hint.

The younger brother crossed his arms over his chest in a huff. "We got caught having sex last night," he admitted, cheeks bright red. "But I don't care what you think of Leon, Lukas. I love him."

"Then if you love him, there isn't a single issue at all," Lukas stated. "Describe this love to me, Em."

Emil blinked in surprise. "I have never felt this way about anyone but Leon. He's beautiful, and his voice calms me and makes me feel like everything's going to be okay. When he kisses me, my heart beats madly in my chest and feels as if it rises into my throat. His touches send shocks through my body. And when we make love, I know he is the only one for me."

Lukas smiled. "That sounds like me and Mathias, even after ten years together. Just make sure you and Leon never lose that magic between you two." He sighed out. "The magic of true love is truly an amazing thing."

"I know," Emil softly said. "Tino and Berwald used to tell me that when I was a kid." He turned his face back to the window and smiled. "How are they doing anyway?"

"Still waiting to get married," Lukas sighed, "just like Mat and I. They've been asking about you a lot. Just wait until they find out about this. Tino will be so mad."

"At me?" Emil asked.

Lukas glanced over at Emil, giving him an incredulous look. "Answer one question for me. When the fuck has Tino ever been mad at you?"

Emil smiled. "You have a point."

"The only person mad at you is that ignorant headmaster," Lukas told him with a smirk.

"I'm worried about Leon," Emil admitted, smile fading. "How would his dad understand this? I know his dad seemed to understand, but what if it was just a show?"

"It wasn't," Lukas assured. "His father is like us. I met his lover during the war. Al was a nice fellow, though he was quite loud." He smiled fondly. "I wonder if they're still together."

"Leon mentioned a bloke named Alfred who lives with them," Emil provided.

"That's him," Lukas said with a slight chuckle. "Alfred F. Jones." He shook his head. "It's been so long…" His eyes glanced over at his younger brother. "But Alfred is to Leon what Mathias is to you."

Emil nodded. "So there are more families like ours," he mused, smiling to himself. "It makes me feel better to know that, and to know that I fell in love with someone from one." His smile and blush could hardly fit on his face. "I honestly never thought I could fall in love like this. I swore I'd never fall in love, but here I am, in love with my roommate from boarding school."

"Being in love is wonderful, isn't it?" Lukas asked him. "To be honest, I never thought I'd fall in love either, especially with someone like Mathias."

"But you two compliment each other well," Emil said. "Anyone in their right mind can see that."

"We do," Lukas agreed, nodding. "I don't know where I'd be without my noisy Dane." He smiled to himself as he drove the rest of the way home.

.

Later that night, after Emil went to bed, Mathias began to tinker with the small radio in the living room. Lukas walked up behind him and wrapped his arms around his middle, resting his head on his shoulder. Mathias smiled and began to tune the radio, keeping the volume low so he wouldn't wake Emil.

"You're still up?" Mathias asked, fondly leaning his head on his lover's. "I figured you'd be in bed by now, Luke."

Lukas yawned. "Not yet," he said, "but soon." He swatted at Mathias's hands as a familiar tune began to play. "Stop! Stop!" he hissed. "Listen!"

A familiar tune rang from the speakers.

"Would my every prayer begin and end with just your name?

And would I be sure that this is love beyond compare?

Would all this be true if I didn't care for you?"

Mathias turned to Lukas. "May I have this dance?"

Lukas blushed but quickly accepted. "Of course you may."

Mathias led Lukas around the room, dipping him low and twirling him at times. He brought him close when the song ended. "I love you," he whispered to his love.

"I love you too," Lukas whispered back before kissing him deeply, losing himself in the man he loved. He would always get lost in Mathias when kissing him like this. Mathias was too perfect of a man not to.

Mathias wrapped his arms around Lukas's waist and carried him to their bedroom. He laid Lukas down on their bed as he began to kiss a little more roughly, trying to indicate what he wanted.

Lukas picked up on it quickly as he stripped down to his boxers, Mathais following the act. He wrapped his legs around Mathias's waist as they kissed. "I love you," he kept saying between kisses.

The two were usually too busy to have intimate moments like this, so both of them felt that this was very special and shouldn't be wasted. After all, it had been two months since the last time both of them had been in a mood like this at the same time and therefore had been intimate. They were both extremely excited.

Mathias plucked at the top of Lukas's boxers, indicating that he wanted them to come off. He smiled as his desire was fulfilled and Lukas took them off. His eyes widened when he saw how aroused Lukas was. Mathias smirked at him and wrapped a hand around his love's member.

Lukas moaned out, forgetting that Emil was asleep. It had been so long since Mathias had touched him like that, he just couldn't help himself at all. He squeezed his eyes shut, taking in all of the pleasure that he could, placing his hands on Mathias's shoulders and squeezing happily.

Mathias then put a finger inside their jar of cold cream and then slid it inside of Lukas. He felt Lukas tense up a little, but heard him moan at the same time. That made Mathias feel like he was doing something more good than bad for Lukas, even though the first time going in after awhile always made Lukas have that reaction.

He waited for Lukas to nearly bounce on his finger before adding another one. Lukas's moans were like music to his ears. He hadn't been this intimate with Lukas in so long that he could feel himself growing more and more aroused by the moment.

"I'm ready," Lukas moaned out. "I want you inside of me, Mathias." He was trembling with anticipation. "I'm ready, Mathias!"

Mathias didn't have to be told twice as he eased himself inside of his lover, moaning from the amazing euphoria he felt being inside of Lukas. There was nothing like the feeling of making love to someone whom you loved so much. He wanted nothing more than to just make love to Lukas all night long.

Lukas would want nothing more than that was well as he threw his head back in pleasure. He wanted more times like this with Mathias, if only they weren't so busy all the time. It would just be wonderful if they could make love like that more often.

When they were done, Lukas snuggled up to Mathias and rubbed his chest. "I love you," he muttered sleepily. "We need to do things like this more often."

"We do," Mathias agreed with a yawn. "I feel so amazing right now. It feels as if I'm complete after becoming one with you." He smiled to Lukas and kissed his forehead. "What can I say? You complete me, Lukas."

"You complete me, too," Lukas said, smiling. He snuggled closer to Mathias. "Please stay by my side forever."

"Good luck getting rid of me," Mathias told him, smiling.

Lukas smiled softly and closed his eyes, listening to Mathias's heartbeat to calm him down and lull him to sleep. "I'd never want to get rid of you," he softly said. "When someone completes another person, they make the person whole. Why would I no longer want to be whole?"

"I was thinking the same thing," Mathias sighed. He kissed the top of Lukas's head. "Goodnight, Lukas. I love you."

"I love you too," Lukas softly told him. "You are the greatest thing to ever happen to me, Mathias. And I am grateful to have you in my life."

.

The next morning, Emil was up before them. He had made toast for everyone and was in the process of making pancakes when Lukas walked into the kitchen. Even Lukas was impressed with what Emil had made.

"Wow, Emil," Lukas commented, smiling. "What's the occasion?"

"I heard you two last night, you know," Emil said, turning to Lukas. He smirked at his brother. "And I'm happy for you two that you're so in love, but could you please not be so loud about it?"

Lukas's face turned a deep crimson as Mathias walked in. "You heard us?" Lukas asked his brother. "What do you mean by that?"

"You two had sex last night, didn't you?" Emil asked, watching Mathias's face grow a deep red as well. "There's nothing to be ashamed of. Leon and I used to do that almost every night."

"That's more information than I needed to know," Lukas stated, putting his hands up. "I don't need to know how much sex my baby brother is having." He sighed and sat at the table. "So why the feast, Emil?"

"I figured I would make it to thank you for still allowing me to see Leon outside of school," Emil said with a shrug. "I would hate it if I couldn't see him anymore."

Lukas shrugged. "It would be like if I had to stop seeing Mathias. I understand what it's like to be in love. It's okay to fall in love, Emil, but only if that person is worthy of your love."

"So you deemed me worthy, huh?" Mathias asked.

"Shut up," Lukas grumbled, elbowing Mathias in the ribs as he walked up behind him. "And sit down. It's time to eat breakfast."

Mathias chuckled and sat down across from Lukas, gazing at him across the table the way a newlywed man would gaze at his spouse after a long day at work. He was so in love with Lukas that he couldn't even think of words to describe how in love he was.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Lukas asked him, raising an eyebrow.

"Like what?" Mathias asked as Emil set their plates in front of them. "I'm not looking at you any differently than I normally do."

"Right," Lukas sarcastically said, taking the butter and slathering it on his pancakes and toast.

"Would you like some food with your butter?" Mathias asked him.

Lukas glared up at him and pushed the butter over at him. "Here, have some. It adds flavor."

Mathias laughed. "I didn't mean to piss you off," he said, taking the butter. He began to butter his toast and pancakes with the minimal amount. "It's just that you cake a lot of things with butter."

"I like butter," Lukas mumbled.

"Yeah, I can tell," Mathias stated, grinning.

"Shut up," Lukas grumbled once more. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I obviously don't," Mathias stated as he got the syrup and began to drizzle it on his pancakes. "So I'll just shut up and eat." He passed the syrup across the table to Lukas.

Emil just smiled to himself. He had missed mornings like these. This was a typical morning for them, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

.

25 Years Later

Lukas sat back at his desk and looked down at the letter he had finished writing. He smiled at it, satisfied. He had been pen pals with Roderich and Elizaveta for years after they had taken care of him, but he hadn't written to them in over a year.

He knew that they now had six children: Leopold, Monica, Maria, Wolfgang, Maggie, and Antoinette. There was also the fact that Gilbert was somehow involved in their marriage after Leopold was born. He was a third member in their marriage and lived with them, or so Elizaveta and Roderich had been telling him. It made Lukas wondered if Gilbert was the father of any of those children. But as Lukas saw it, it was none of his business.

The letter had just been finished and Lukas looked over it for any spelling or grammatical errors. He was very picky about his letters that he sent to his friends. After all, he knew that Roderich was pickier than he was.

Mathias suddenly appeared behind him. "You writing to Gilbert's lovers?" he asked.

Lukas jumped a little, startled. "Yes," he slowly said. He had forgotten that Mathias knew Gilbert from the old war days. "Did you want to write to Gilbert?"

"Nah," Mathias said, shaking his head. "I'm pretty sure he knows how happy I am now that I have you. Gilbert was a great friend to me."

Lukas smiled and tilted his head up for a kiss. "I'm happy to have you as well," he softly said. "Now kiss me, you idiot."

Mathias grinned. "With pleasure, my love." He leaned down and met lips with Lukas.

As soon as their lips touched, they felt young again. They no longer felt as if they were 58 and 60. The kiss sent them back to when they first met, back to when they were 23 and 25. Lukas felt as if he were that young, nervous fighter pilot once more. Mathias felt like that young soldier once more, the one who was desperately in love with a young fighter pilot.

When their kiss was over, they both looked into each other's eyes. Lukas saw the brave, young soldier Mathias once used to be. Mathias saw the beautiful man that Lukas had always been to him. Both of them saw the man that they had fallen in love with, and the man they had both turned into. And neither of them regretted spending their lives with each other.

"I need to get this letter in the post," Lukas said, coming out of his daze.

"Luke, there's no post on Sundays," Mathias reminded, smiling. "You can mail it tomorrow."

Lukas nodded. "Right." He then opened his desk drawer and got out the cross-shaped hairpin that he once wore in his hair when it was blond and not a graying white. "I need to put this in the envelope as well."

"Why is that?" Mathias asked him, curious as to why Lukas would get rid of a precious family heirloom such as that.

"Because since my brother and I are both gay, we could never have children to pass it down to," Lukas explained. "But surely Elizaveta and Roderich's children could pass it down at some point."

Mathias smiled. "You're wonderful, Lukas."

"I try to be," Lukas answered, smiling up at Mathias. "It's just that some people just don't notice."

"Well, I always do," Mathias said. He peeked over Lukas's shoulder. "What did you write about anyway?"

Lukas put the letter out of his line of vision. "No reading this, it's personal," he scolded. He frowned at Mathias. "I don't read the letters you send to people, do I?"

"No," Mathias slowly answered. "But I only send letters to family."

"Roderich and Elizaveta are like family to me," Lukas explained. "They could have killed me at any time. They could have given me up to the Germans, but they saved me. They risked everything for me. I think they earned a spot in my heart as family."

Mathias smiled. "You're so sentimental and cute," he admirably said. "I love it."

"Oh, shut up," Lukas grumbled. He sulked a little, embarrassed that Mathias would still call him cute even after 35 years together. Was there a way that he could still be cute after that long?

"I'm not taking it back," Mathias told him, grinning like a madman. "I love you."

Lukas felt a small smile cross his face. "I love you too," he softly said to Mathias. "From now until forever, Mathias Køhler."

Mathias smiled. "From now until forever, Lukas Bondevik."

Then their lips met again.

.

Two Weeks Later, Small Austrian Town

Monica Edelstein-Beilschmidt looked down at the envelope in her hand. It was addressed to her parents, but it came to her house. It felt heavier than most envelopes that came in the mail for them normally. She was desperate to open it, but she took it to her mother.

"Mother, there is a letter for you and Father," she said, entering her parents' home next door and handing the envelope over. "It's from a man named Lukas Bondevik, but it came to my house."

Elizaveta Edelstein looked down at the envelope in awe. "So he never forgot us," she softly said to herself. "I'm so glad to hear that…" She then turned toward the inner parts of the house. "Roderich, come here!"

Roderich hurried into the room as fast as his arthritis-ridden legs could bring him. "What is it, Elizaveta?" he asked her. He eyed the envelope in her hand. "What's that?"

"It's a letter from Lukas," she softly said. "He never forgot us."

Roderich smiled. "Open it, darling. Let's see what he has to say."

Elizaveta opened the envelope and the hairpin is what came out first. "What? His hairpin? But this is a family heirloom. Why would he give this to us?" She got out the letter. "Surely he will explain it to us."

Dear Friends of Mine,

I am sorry that it took so long. My arthritis has spread to my hands, so it is more painful to hold a pen than it used to be. I hope you are well. Isn't it odd to think that time has passed so quickly.

My letter concerns something that would have one day been left in my will, but I believe that it would suit one of your sons or daughters better. You see, I cannot pass my hairpin down to any of my children for I do not have any, and my brother cannot have it for he is like me in that aspect. So I would like to pass it down to one of your lovely children.

Please take good care of it and let them know how important it is. I hope you never forget me, as I have never forgotten you.

Love,

Lukas Bondevik

Elizaveta smiled as she finished reading the letter aloud. "His wishes will be fulfilled," she softly said. "What a lovely man he truly is."

Roderich smiled. "What a wonderful man indeed."